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The last of the baby boomers turn 50 this year. I hope they enjoy their careers, because it looks like many of them may end up working for the next 15 to 25 years. Dreams of being able to travel all over the world without requesting time off or having to check emergency emails may no longer be a reality—many boomers may be working well into their mid-70s.

If the Bureau of Labor Statistics projections are right, by 2022 about 32% of Americans ages 65 to 74 will still be in the workforce. That’s up from about 20% in 2002. Granted, there are people who aren’t working for economic reasons alone; they work because they love it! But many do it to support their families, qualify for retirement benefits and receive employer benefits.

If you are one of those people who might end up with a working retirement—whether by choice or necessity—here are some tips to prepare:

Keep boredom at bay. Just because you are still working doesn’t mean you can’t have an exciting life. Reconnect with your childhood hobbies or start new ones. Take up something new, like I did when I learned to ski at age 50.

The ski runs I take may not be the steep black diamonds, but there are plenty of challenges, both mental and physical, on the intermediate runs. Skiing also provides wonderful social interaction, from chats on the chairlift to sharing cocoa in the lodge with friends. Life is so much sweeter when you have something you really look forward to on your days off.

Stay productive in the office. You also want to look forward to Monday morning. According to a 2009 Pew Research Study, the top reason people over 65 are working is because they want to, particularly because they feel useful and productive and enjoy the time spent with co-workers. As you plan for a working retirement, make career choices today that allow you to make a contribution to society or your community as well as support your family and give you the funds to live independently.

Stay on top of your numbers. It’s certainly ideal when working after age 65 is a choice rather than a necessity. But be careful not to use “working” as your only retirement plan—that strategy is right up there with “winning the lottery.” The truth is, health reasons may keep you from being gainfully employed. Also, remember that retirement is not always voluntary. According to a 2009 Pew Research Study, 9% of retirees reported their employers forced them to retire. Run retirement projections every year, and consider working with a financial planner to set up a retirement plan to help you cover your bases.